Carol Kilbourn

Carol Shmidheiser Kilbourn of Long Point, Neavitt, passed away at home on July 7, 2016. She was 88. She was predeceased by her husband, G. Rex Kilbourn in 2008 after 58 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia in 1927, to Edward and Martha Shmidheiser, she is survived by four children: Dana Kilbourn Fairbank and husband,Charles, of Neavitt, Edward Payne Kilbourn and wife, Valorie, of Easton, Barry Kilbourn Salisbury and husband, Tod, of Middletown, MD; and Martha Kilbourn Surgent and husband Robert, of Bay Village, OH. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was a graduate of The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA, earned a Bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and a Masters in Education from Villanova University. She taught elementary school at Shipley in the 1970’s, and later served on the school’s board. She continued teaching as a substitute in the St. Michaels schools in the late 1980’s. Carol had a life-long passion for teaching and volunteering.She was a member of the Junior League of Philadelphia and tutored reading at Martha Washington Elementary in Philadelphia. After she and Rex purchased Long Point in 1966, she brought that passion to the Eastern Shore. In 1967, she helped establish the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum volunteer program, and later the Academy for Lifelong Learning. She maintained her volunteer commitment to the museum until one month before her death. She volunteered at Talbot Hospice for 34 years and was an active member of Christ Church, St. Michaels, where she was a docent and helped with the food bank. Carol’s other passion was knitting and was a founding member of the local Knit-Witches group. Her memory will live on in countless sweaters, socks, and blankets that are treasured by family and friends. Carol thrived on being busy and useful, including rowing out daily to empty her crab pot and canning fruit and vegetables from her garden. She had many friends on the Eastern Shore and delighted in maintaining close relationships with them all. A memorial service will be held on July 30, 2016, at 1:00 pm at Christ Church, St. Michaels, followed by a reception at Etherton Hall. Inurnment will take place at the United States Naval Academy, where she will rest alongside her husband, Rex. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Talbot Hospice or the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Carol Kilbourn

December 24, 1927 - July 7, 2016